Experts at Cambridge’s Trinity College recreated a 336-year-old garden originally planted by John Ray, a 17th-century botanist known as the "father of natural history." The garden, located near an apple tree linked to Isaac Newton, includes plants Ray studied and highlights biodiversity and climate resilience.
Key Facts
John Ray was a botanist and tutor at Cambridge in the 1650s and is called the father of natural history.
Ray created his first known garden at Trinity College and documented many plants in a book published in 1660.
Gardeners used a 1690 engraving and Latin translations of Ray’s text to decide which plants to grow.
The recreated garden includes approximately 700 types of plants Ray tried to grow, focusing on drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly species.
Plants in the garden include wood avens, betony, golden rod, pasqueflower, and moth mullein.
The garden is located by an apple tree famous for inspiring Isaac Newton.
Soil tests under the garden found signs of Newton’s former chemical laboratory.
The garden project commemorates the 400th anniversary of John Ray’s birth in 2025.
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China is increasing its spying activities around the world to gain political and economic advantages, especially against the United States and Western countries. Many suspected Chinese spies have been caught recently in countries like South Korea, Germany, Norway, and the U.S. as governments respond to these intelligence operations.
Key Facts
China’s spying efforts have grown significantly under President Xi Jinping’s leadership.
In May, two Chinese nationals were convicted in South Korea for photographing U.S. military bases.
A German couple of Chinese origin was arrested for allegedly stealing sensitive military-related technology.
Chinese citizens were arrested in Norway for suspected military intelligence activities.
The mayor of Arcadia, California, pleaded guilty to acting as a Chinese foreign agent.
An American journalist who worked for China’s Xinhua news agency pleaded guilty to being a foreign agent.
China views U.S. political divisions, including those linked to President Donald Trump’s leadership, as opportunities to expand influence.
Experts say China’s espionage focus is tied to its economic slowdown and limits on access to advanced technology.
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A 5-year-old Chihuahua named Little was surrendered to a Los Angeles animal shelter for the second time in five years. She arrived underweight and with health problems but remains gentle, and a rescue group has taken her in to help find her a permanent home.
Key Facts
Little is a 5-year-old Chihuahua currently at the Lancaster Animal Care Center in Los Angeles County.
She weighs only 7 pounds and arrived underweight with visible ribs and spine, stiff limbs, and patchy hair loss.
Little has been surrendered twice before because her previous owners could not care for her.
Despite her condition, shelter staff say she is gentle and cooperative.
A rescue organization took Little into their care two days after she arrived at the shelter.
Owner surrenders make up about 30% of pet intakes at shelters in the United States.
Factors like financial problems, lack of vet care, housing rules, and life changes often lead owners to give up their pets.
Animal shelters nationwide are facing more intakes than adoptions or returns, causing space challenges.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged European NATO members to take more responsibility for defending their continent. He called for a stronger NATO, called “NATO 3.0,” with real military power, as the U.S. plans to invest heavily in its defense while reducing some support for European allies.
Key Facts
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on June 18, 2026.
He called for a "NATO 3.0," a stronger military alliance focused on defending Europe.
The U.S. will invest $1.5 trillion in its defense budget in 2027.
The U.S. announced it will no longer supply some warships, aircraft carriers, and fighter jets to allies if they come under attack.
European allies and Canada are trying to find ways to fill the gaps left by the U.S. reduction.
NATO has 32 member countries who agree that an attack on one is an attack on all, but there is no guarantee all will provide military help.
The U.S. wants to keep military resources available for possible conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. will keep its nuclear weapons in Europe, which are important for NATO’s deterrence strategy.
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Explosions and gunfire broke out at the airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, early on June 18, 2026. Security forces blocked the area, and it appeared the airport was under attack, but no group immediately claimed responsibility.
Key Facts
The attack began with explosions around 6 a.m. local time and gunfire lasted for nearly two hours.
Witnesses and a security source reported the airport was under attack.
A Niger government spokesperson did not comment immediately on the incident.
The Islamic State (IS) group claimed a similar attack on the same airport in January 2026.
Thousands of illegally built homes near the airport were demolished after the attack.
Authorities said jihadist fighters had infiltrated the area to carry out the attack.
Niger faces ongoing violence from jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and IS in the Sahel region.
Neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso also struggle with similar insurgent attacks.
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The United States and Iran have electronically signed a memorandum aimed at ending their recent conflict, which includes stopping military actions and preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The agreement is now in effect, but both sides warn that further talks and careful monitoring will be needed to finalize a lasting deal.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a memorandum to end conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
The agreement commits to stopping military operations, preventing Iran’s nuclear weapon development, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz shipping route.
Iran says the deal is active and will watch closely to ensure the US meets its promises; Iran’s missile program is not negotiable.
Experts believe nuclear talks will last longer than the 60 days outlined in the memorandum, due to complex technical issues.
Some Republican leaders criticize the agreement, arguing it does not do enough to limit Iran’s nuclear program and oppose a large reconstruction fund for Iran.
Full Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon may take several months, with ongoing fighting and concerns about ceasefire compliance in the region.
The conflict’s resolution is complicated by broader regional issues beyond the US-Iran talks.
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Ukraine launched a large drone attack on Moscow, hitting an oil refinery and causing fires. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack was a justified response to Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities. The attack also affected Moscow’s largest airport and came just before a summit hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
Ukraine used drones to attack Moscow, including the city’s oil refinery, causing fires and smoke.
President Zelensky called the strike a response to Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport evacuated passengers and restricted flights due to the drone attack.
Russian air defenses shot down many drones, but some reached targets in Moscow and surrounding areas.
Drone debris caused a fire at a shopping center near Moscow.
This was the largest drone attack on Moscow in at least two years.
The attack happened hours before Putin’s meeting with Southeast Asian leaders in Kazan.
Russia has regularly attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles since the war began in 2022.
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The Sweden Democrats (SD), a far-right party with roots in extremist movements, have changed their image and political stance over the years. They moved from being shunned to becoming Sweden’s second-largest party and a key supporter of the government.
Key Facts
The Sweden Democrats were founded in the 1980s with links to neo-Nazi and far-right skinhead groups.
The party has worked to change its image, removing extreme members and adopting more moderate policies.
SD dropped demands like leaving the EU and opposing NATO to appear more mainstream.
They first entered the Swedish parliament in 2010 after passing the 4% vote threshold.
The 2015 refugee crisis increased voter concern about immigration, benefiting the party.
By 2018, SD won 17.5% of the vote and 62 seats, becoming the third-largest party in Sweden.
Since then, SD has become accepted by other right-wing parties and plays a role in supporting the government.
The party changed its logo from Viking imagery to a flower, reflecting its rebranding effort.
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A doctor explains four early signs of scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that hardens skin and tissues. Recognizing these symptoms early can help get a diagnosis faster and improve treatment outcomes.
Key Facts
Scleroderma causes the immune system to attack the body, leading to skin hardening.
About 300,000 Americans have scleroderma; one-third have its serious form affecting organs.
Four early signs are Raynaud’s phenomenon (blood vessel spasms in fingers/toes), fatigue, acid reflux, and digestive problems.
These symptoms often appear mild and can be confused with other common illnesses.
Misdiagnosis is common because symptoms overlap with stress, IBS, or other conditions.
There is no cure, but treatments can slow disease progress and ease symptoms.
A holistic health approach, including diet changes, stress management, and self-care, helps patients manage symptoms better.
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A special election is taking place in the Makerfield district of northwest England to choose a new member of Parliament. Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester and a Labour Party candidate, is leading and could challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the leadership of the party if he wins. Starmer has faced declining popularity and criticism over his government’s performance since the Labour Party's election win in 2024.
Key Facts
The special election is in Makerfield, a district in northwest England with about 75,000 voters.
Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, is the Labour Party candidate and favorite to win.
Burnham could challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for party leadership if elected.
Keir Starmer became prime minister after Labour’s 2024 election victory.
Starmer's government has struggled with economic growth, public services, and cost of living issues.
Starmer faced criticism for appointing Peter Mandelson, linked to controversies, as UK ambassador to the US.
Labour lawmakers have asked Starmer to resign, but he has refused to step down.
Josh Simons, the former Labour MP for Makerfield, resigned to allow Burnham to run in this election.
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Since a ceasefire began last October, Israeli military actions in Gaza have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. Recently, Israeli strikes targeted militant groups, but also caused civilian casualties, amid ongoing tensions and accusations of ceasefire violations by both sides.
Key Facts
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports over 1,005 Palestinians have been killed during the ceasefire period since October 2025.
Near-daily Israeli strikes, shelling, and gunfire continue along the border dividing Gaza.
An Israeli strike on June 17, 2026, killed two Palestinians and wounded six in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military admitted to conducting the strike, targeting a Hamas militant group.
Families said those killed were near a large tent camp housing displaced Palestinians.
Both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of breaking the ceasefire agreement.
The Gaza Health Ministry states the overall death toll from the war has passed 73,000 but does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
The conflict began after Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking hostages.
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Vice President JD Vance is leading efforts alongside President Donald Trump to finalize a tentative deal aimed at ending the war with Iran. Vance, initially skeptical about military interventions, has become the main public supporter of the agreement and is expected to travel to Switzerland to advance negotiations.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the Vice President under President Donald Trump.
Vance was originally known for being doubtful about foreign military wars.
He is now publicly supporting and promoting the deal to end the war with Iran.
President Trump and Vance signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Vance is expected to travel to Switzerland to begin a new negotiation phase.
The deal has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats, as well as from Israel and its supporters.
Critics say the deal may give Iran benefits without strong guarantees in return.
White House officials praised Vance’s role in negotiating the deal and securing American security.
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Asian stock markets rose sharply after the U.S. and Iran signed an initial deal to end their conflict, starting talks on Iran’s nuclear program and easing sanctions on Iranian oil sales. While Wall Street had fallen due to concerns about potential U.S. interest rate hikes, Asian markets, especially in Japan and South Korea, reached new highs with optimism about the peace deal and technology sector growth.
Key Facts
The U.S. and Iran signed an agreement to permanently end hostilities, starting a 60-day negotiation period on Iran’s nuclear future.
The deal requires Iran to dilute its highly enriched uranium stockpile.
U.S.-backed sanctions were lifted immediately, allowing Iran to freely sell its oil.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 1.9%, climbing above 70,000 points.
South Korea’s Kospi index gained 1.6%, supported by rising shares of chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Taiwan’s Taiex index increased by 1.2%.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and China’s Shanghai Composite indexes showed small losses.
U.S. markets fell the previous day due to worries that the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates in 2026 to control inflation.
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Sony Pictures released a new trailer for the movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is set to come out on July 31, 2026. The story follows Peter Parker as he deals with new physical changes and fights crime in New York, joined by several heroes like Hulk and Punisher.
Key Facts
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a follow-up to the 2021 film No Way Home.
The movie takes place four years after No Way Home, with Peter Parker living alone.
Peter has erased himself from the memories of those he loves to protect the multiverse.
Peter experiences a physical change that may be a mutation in his DNA.
The cast includes Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Zendaya (MJ), Jon Bernthal (Punisher), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and Charlie Cox (Daredevil).
Peter is the only person who can sense a new invisible threat affecting others.
The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will release in theaters on July 31, 2026.
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Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is running in a local election in the Makerfield area of the UK. If he wins, he may challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour party and the position of UK prime minister.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is trying to return to the UK parliament after nine years.
The local election in Makerfield is seen as very important for the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Burnham faces competition from the hard-right Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage.
Polls suggest Burnham is likely to win due to his popularity and his leadership in Greater Manchester.
Prime Minister Starmer has been struggling with low approval ratings and political challenges since taking office in 2024.
Labour MP Josh Simons stepped down to let Burnham run for the parliamentary seat.
The Makerfield electorate usually votes for Labour but showed significant support for Reform UK in recent local council elections.
Controversies and offensive remarks have affected Reform’s candidate Robert Kenyon’s public image.
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President Donald Trump and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a temporary peace deal to end the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The deal includes Iran reducing its enriched uranium in exchange for lifting sanctions and a $300 billion fund to help rebuild the region.
Key Facts
The deal was signed on June 17, 2026, during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles after the G7 summit.
Iran agreed to dilute its enriched uranium to reduce nuclear risks.
The US will lift its naval blockade and oil sanctions on Iran immediately.
A $300 billion reconstruction fund supported by regional nations will be released after a final agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz, an important global shipping route, will be reopened by Iran.
Pakistan helped mediate the agreement.
The war started on February 28, 2026, involving missile attacks and closing the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 7,000 people have died in the conflict, mostly in Iran and Lebanon.
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An inquest into the death of Stacey Warnecke, a Melbourne woman who gave birth at home without medically trained help, has been delayed after new phone evidence was found. Warnecke died from heavy bleeding after childbirth, and the court will investigate further before making any conclusions.
Key Facts
Stacey Warnecke, a 30-year-old nutritionist and wellness influencer, died on 29 September in a Melbourne hospital.
Warnecke chose a "freebirth," giving birth at home without medical staff, supported by a birthkeeper with no medical training.
The birthkeeper, Emily Lal, was paid $6,000 to support the birth but said she was not responsible for safety or medical decisions.
Warnecke suffered a severe postpartum hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) after delivering the placenta.
An ambulance was called about 30 minutes after the bleeding started.
Lal lost access to messages from Warnecke about the labor after getting a new phone and could only communicate mainly with Warnecke’s husband afterward.
New information from a forensic analysis of Warnecke’s phone has prompted further investigation and delayed the inquest's conclusion.
Medical experts said Warnecke’s bleeding was treatable if a midwife or hospital care had been present, emphasizing early intervention is key in such cases.
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Ukrainian drones attacked a major oil refinery in Moscow for the second time this week, causing fires and smoke in the area. The attacks also damaged other buildings and led to flight suspensions at Moscow’s main airport amidst ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Key Facts
Ukrainian drones struck Moscow’s oil refinery twice this week, with the latest attack causing large fires.
Moscow’s mayor said air defense forces shot down about 180 drones aimed at the capital.
The refinery’s operations stopped after the first strike, adding to fuel shortages in Russia.
Nearby buildings, including a shopping center, high-rise homes, and an industrial site, were damaged.
Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport canceled flights and evacuated some people due to the drone attack.
Russia reported shooting down 555 Ukrainian drones across several regions overnight; the exact number is unconfirmed.
Ukraine also faced missile attacks on Kyiv, with alerts for airstrikes across much of Ukraine.
Several people were reported killed in different drone attacks in the region, including in Ukraine and Russian border areas.
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An eight-year-old boy named Tommy from Blackpool won a contest to design the official artwork shown before all UK screenings of the movie Toy Story 5. He met actors Tom Hanks and Tim Allen at a London event, where they congratulated him and signed his framed artwork.
Key Facts
Tommy is 8 years old and from Blackpool, UK.
He won a competition to design the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) Black Card for Toy Story 5.
His artwork features the feet of characters from the film, including a new character named Lilypad.
Tommy used acrylic paint with brushes and sponges to create different textures in his painting.
Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear) met Tommy and signed his winning artwork.
The BBFC will show Tommy’s design before Toy Story 5 movie screenings in the UK.
The competition had over 1,000 participants across the UK.
Tommy and his family were invited to a special event including a red carpet walk and a behind-the-scenes tour of the BBFC.
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Caleb Tutt, a 24-year-old from London, inherited the right to graze sheep on common land in Llantrisant, Wales, a tradition dating back 680 years. He recently attended a ceremony to formally accept this historic honour that originated from his Welsh ancestors.
Key Facts
Caleb Tutt lives in London but has the right to graze livestock in Llantrisant, Wales.
This right, known as "freemanship," is an ancient title passed down through family generations.
The land involved includes areas called Cymdda Bach and Brynteg.
Caleb inherited this right from his grandmother’s mining family in Wales.
He and about 20 other people became freemen at a ceremony held in May.
The ceremony involved signing an old ledger and receiving a ceremonial necktie or scarf.
The freemanship grants the right to graze animals but does not include large estates or major privileges.
Caleb was surprised by the simple nature of the ceremony, which felt more like a local tradition than a grand event.
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